Frederick man found dead in Potomac River

Police find suicide note at man’s house

Maryland State Police have identified the body of a Frederick man found dead Sunday in the Potomac River at Point of Rocks State Park.

Peter V. O’Connell, 54, of Frederick, was found dead along the bank of the river at around 4 p.m., after a bicyclist reported seeing the body floating in the river, according to state police spokesman Greg Shipley.

Members of the Carroll Manor Fire Co. retrieved the body from a cove along the river, Shipley said.

O’Connell’s car was found with the keys inside in a parking lot about one-half mile from where his body was recovered. After identifying O’Connell, investigators conducted a search of his home Sunday night where they found a suicide note, Shipley said.

O’Connell’s body was transported to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of his death. Shipley said that the autopsy is expected to be conducted Monday.